Type levers of typewriters and apparatus for producing the same



E. V. BYERS Feb. 1, 1966 TYPE LEVERS OF TYPEWRITERS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 2l. 1961 E 7e/If 7 TRA/E V5 Si /l Edward )ya F11.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. V. BYERS Feb. 1, 1966 TYPE LEVERS OF TYPEWRITERS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME Filed Feb. 2l. 1961 United States Patent O 3,232,576 TYPE LEVERS F TYPEWRITERS AND APPARA- TUS FGR PRODUCING THE SAME Edward Victor Byers, 16 Barrack Lane, The Park, Nottingham, England Filed Feb. 21, 1961, Ser. No. 90,851 13 Claims. (Cl. 249-66) This invention relates to improvements in the typelever of typewriters and apparatus for producing the same. The type-levers of typewriters are pivoted on a type-lever segment and as hitherto made comprise a bar which has one end pivoted on the type-lever segment whilst its other end has a block secured thereto on which the raised characters are formed. The end of the bar which carries the type block is set at an angle to the remainder of the bar so that the type block is in the correct position to make an impression when it strikes the platen of the machine. As the pivotal points of the type-levers are disposed on the arc of a circle it wiil be seen that the amount of set required for the free end of the bar will depend on its position on the type-lever segment. The ends of the bars are set and the type blocks secured thereto before the type-levers are assembled on the type-lever segment and when the type-lever segment is in position in a typewriter, the type-levers frequently need to be adjusted in order that correct alignment of the impressions is obtained, and this operation may take some time. The object of the present invention is to provide type levers which when mounted in their correct positions on the type-lever 'segment require no subsequent adjustment to provide correct alignment of the impressions produced when the typelever segment is in position in a typewriter.

According to this invention the type-levers comprise straight bars having a hole at one end to receive the pivot pin and characters which are formed on a part which is cast or molded on the other end of the bar, the set required for the end of the type-lever being formed in the said cast or molded part. To produce the type-levers the bars are held in a frame which is placed in position on one part of a two part mold, the other part of the mold having cavities therein of the correct shape for the cast or molded part of the type-levers and when the two .parts of the mold are placed together, the ends of the bars are accurately positioned in the cavities. Type metal or a suitable plastic is then fed into the cavities to form the cast or molded part on the ends of the bars. When the cast or molded parts are formed, the two parts of the mold a-re divided. Provision may be made to disengage the cast or molded parts from their cavities when the two parts of the mold are separated.

The invention will now be more particularly `described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation partly broken away of the mold for producing a plurality of type-levers at the same time.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevation on the line X- of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 3 is a plan of the mold.

FIG. 4 is an elevation of the rear side of the front part of the mold.

FIG. 5 is a sectional side elevation.

FIG. 6 is a plan of part of the mold `showing alternative means for pressing the molded heads of the type-levers out of the cavities which mold them.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of one of the type-levers showing the set required for the head formed in the molded head.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the bar to which the heads are molded to complete the type-levers.

ice

Like numerals indicate like parts throughout the drawings.

The type-levers are formed from bars 1 (see FIG. 9) which may conveniently be stamped from sheet metal, the bars 1 for the different characters being identical in shape. They are provided with a hole 2 at one end through which the pivot pin passes when the completed type-levers are assembled on the type-lever segment. The other end of the bars are formed with a hole 3 therein or otherwise suitably shaped to form a lock or key to hold the cast or molded part 4 (see FIG. 8) in position on the end of the bar 1. Type metal or a suitable plastic is used for the cast or molded part 4 and the characters 5 are formed on one edge of the cast or molded part 4. Any set required to bring the characters .into the correct position at the point of impact with the platen, the amount of set depending on the position of the type-levers in the type-lever segment, is formed in the cast or molded part 4 as shown in FIG. 8. It will therefore be seen that if the cavities which form the molded part 4 are of the correct shape and size and the ends of the bars 1 are correctly positioned relatively to the cavities, then the completed type-lever will not require any subsequent adjustment.

In order to produce the type-levers a mold is provided. This is formed in two parts. The front part 6 comprises a plate and on the back of the plate are guides 7 to hold a frame S shown more clearly in FIG. 4 in a predetermined position. The frame 8 is arranged to hold a plurality of the bars 1 in alignment parallel with each other. For this purpose the frame 8 is provided with a plurality of slots 9 each slot adapted to hold a bar, the bars bein-g held in position by a pin 10 (see FIG. 4) which passes through the pivot pin holes 2 in the bars 1. The bars 1 hang vertically downwards from the pin 10 and in line with each other.

The back 11 of the mold is provided with a guide bar 12 (see FIG. 2) which is provided with the same number of grooves 13 therein as there are 'slots 9 in the frame 8 and when the two parts of the mold lare put together the bars 1 pass into the grooves 13 in the guide bar 12 as shown in broken lines in FIG. 2 and are further positioned thereby. Below each groove 13 is a cavity 14- of the appropriate shape for the cast or molded part to he formed on the bars 1. The cavities 14 are open at the top to the lower ends of the grooves 13 and the fronts of the cavities are closed by the front part 6 of the mold when the two parts 6 and 11 are placed together as shown in FIG. 2. When the two parts of the mold are placed together the bars 1 pass into the grooves 13 in the guide bar 12 and the lower ends of the bars 1 are held centrally in the upper ends of the cavities 14 as indicated in broken lines in FIG. 2. A presser bar 15 is provided on the front part 6 of the mold and this presser bar 15 holds the bars 1 up to the bottom of the grooves 13 in the guide bar 12 to further position the lower ends of the bars 1 in the cavities 14.

The front part 6 of the mold is slidingly mounted on rods 16, 17 so that it can be moved towards or away from the back part 11 of the mold and the front part is further held in its correct position relatively to the back part, when the two parts are place-d together, by dowel pins 18, 19.

The lower ends of the cavities 14 are connected to a runner channel 20 in the back part of the mold, the runner f mold as shown in FIG. 4. The two parts of the mold are then placed together and molten metal or plastic forced into the cavities 14 in any suitable manner. When the metal or plastic has set the two parts of the mold are separated. The front part 6 of the mold carries a taper peg 22 centrally disposed of the supply passage 21 previously mentioned, and when the front part of the mold 6 is separated from the other part 11 this taper peg 22 withdraws the runner from the supply passage. Additional means are provided to press the runner ofi the taper peg 22 after the front part 6 of the mold has moved a predetermined distance from the other part.

For this purpose the front part 6 of the mold carries a block 23 slidingly mounted on studs 24 and the block 23 carries rods 25 which press on the runner when the block is moved in the appropriate direction and disengages the runner from the peg 22.

The back part 11 of the mold may also carry a spring loaded bar 26 (see FIG. 2) which engages with the edges of the bars 1 above the guide bar 12. When the two parts of the mold are separated the spring loaded bar 26 exerts pressure on the edges of the bars 1 and presses the molded parts 4 of the type levers out of the cavities 14. On further movement of the front part 6 of the mold away from the other part 11, the runner is disengaged from the taper peg 22 and the frame 8 can be removed from the front part 6 of the mold for removal of the bars therefrom. Other bars are then mounted in the frame and the operation described repeated. Alternative means for moving the molded parts 4- from the cavities 14 are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and comprise a bar 27 pivoted at 28 at one end, and in a similar manner at the other end to the back part 11 of the mold. The bar 27 extends down to just above the guide bar 12 as shown in FIG. and is turned about its pivot 2S to press on the f bars 1 and press the molded heads 4 formed on the bars 1 out of the cavities 14. In order to turn the bar 27 about its pivots a detent 29 is provided on the front part of the mold 6 to engage behind the bar 27 as shown in FG. 6 to draw the lower end of the bar 27 forward to press on the bars 1 when the front part 6 is drawn away from the back part 11 after molding the heads on the bars 1. Any suitable clamping means may be provided to hold the two parts of the mold together whilst the molding operation is being carried out.

The drawings showa mold for producing nine typelever at the same time and it will be understood that other molds having the appropriately shaped cavities are provided for producing the other type-levers required for a machine.

What I claim is:

1. A mold particularly adapted for molding the heads of type-levers on bars comprising in combination a two part mold, cavities in one part to form the heads, a frame to hold the bars, guides to position the frame, a guide bar, grooves in the guide bar to hold the bars in position in the upper ends of the cavities, a presser bar to hold the bars in position in the slots in the guide bar, a runner channel connecting with the cavities, a supply passage for molding material connected to the runner channel, characters formed in the other part of the mold, means to press the molded heads out of the cavities and means on the said other part to disengage the runners therefrom.

2. A mold particularly adapted for molding the heads of type-levers on bars comprising a two part mold having a front part and a back part, means to support the front part slidingly relatively to the back part, a bar holding frame thereon, guides to position the frame, a guide bar on the back part, grooves in the guide bar for the bars, cavities in the back part below the grooves, a presser bar on the front part to hold the bars in the grooves in the guide bar, means to press forwardly on the bars when the front part is withdrawn from the back part to move the molded heads out of said cavities, a runner channel in the back part connecting with the cavities, a molding material supply passage to the channel, characters formed on the front part opposite the cavities and means to press the runner way from the front part.

3. A mold for molding the heads of type-levers on bars according to claim 2 in which the front part of the mold slides on rods carried by the back part and dowel pins on one part engage in holes in the other part.

4. A mold for molding the heads of type-levers on bars according to claim 2 in which the cavities are shaped to provide the setting necessary for characters formed on the head of the type-levers when the type-levers are mounted in a type-lever segment.

5. A mold for molding the heads of type-levers on bars according to claim 2 having a spring pressed bar to press on the bars to disengage the heads on the bars from the cavities when the two parts of the mold are separated.

6. A mold for molding the heads of type-levers on bars according to claim 2 having a pivoted bar on the back part of the mold above the guide bar and a detent on the front part of the mold to engage the rear of the bar when the front part of the mold is drawn away from the back part.

7. A rnold particularly adapted for molding the heads of typewriter type lever on bars, said mold comprising support means for retaining a plurality of bars in spaced parallel relation, a mold part having a head detining cavity for each retained bar, said cavities being angularly arranged with respect to the intended positions of bars with the angles of said cavities to respective bar positions being varied and in accordance with the operating position of the respective type lever in a typewriter.

8. A mold particularly adapted for molding the heads of typewriter type lever on bars, said mold comprising support means for retaining a plurality of bars in spaced parallel relation, a first mold part having a head defining cavity for each retained bar, said cavities being angularly arranged with respect to the intended positions of bars with the angles of said cavities to respective bar positions being varied and in accordance with the operating position of the respective type lever in a typewriter, and a second part having a cavity closing face, said cavity closing face being smooth with the exception of character defining pockets formed therein.

9. A mold particularly adapted for molding the heads of type levers on bars, said mold comprising iirst and second mold halves, said ilrst mold half including a slotted frame for pivotally receiving tirst end portions of bars, said second mold half including a slotted guide for receiving central portions of bars, a clamp bar on said first mold half aligned with said slotted guide for forcing bars carried by said frame into slotsin said guide upon the closing of said mold, a plurality of head defining cavities in said second mold half having end portions aligned with the slots of said slotted guide and being adapted to receive second end portions of bars, and a bar extractor carried by said second mold half for engaging and forcing bars out of said guide when said mold is opened to strip bars and molded heads from said second mold half.

10. A mold particularly adapted for molding the heads of type levers on bars, said mold comprising first and second mold halves, said tirst mold half including a slotted frame for pivotally receiving iirst end portions of bars, said second mold half including a slotted guide for receiving central portions of bars, a clamp bar on said iirst mold half aligned with said slotted guide for forcing bars carried by said frame into slots in said guide upon the closing of said mold, a plurality of head dening cavities in y said second mold half having end portions aligned with the slots of said slotted guide and being adapted to receive second end portions of bars, a bar extractor carried by said second mold half for engaging and forcing bars out of said guide when said mold is opened to strip bars and molded heads from said second mold half, said second mold halt having a material supply chamber in cornmunication with said cavities remote from said guide, and

a runner withdrawing peg carried by said rst mold half and projecting into said supply chamber.

11. A rnold particularly adapted for molding the heads of type levers on bars, said mold comprising rst and second mold halves, said first mold half including a slotted frame for pivotally receiving rst end portions of bars, said second mold half including a slotted guide for receiving central portions of bars, a clamp bar on said rst rnold half aligned with said slotted guide for forcing bars carried by said frame into slots in said guide upon the closing of said mold, a plurality of head dening cavities in said second rnold half having end portions aligned with the slots of said slotted guide and being adapted to receive second end portions of bars, a bar extractor carried by said second mold half for engaging and forcing bars out of said guide when said mold is opened to strip bars and molded heads from said second mold half, said second mold half having a material supply chamber in cornmunication with said cavities remote from said guide, a runner withdrawing peg carried by said first mold half and projecting into said supply chamber, and stripping means carried by said first mold half for stripping molded heads and runner from said rst mold half.

12. A mold particularly adapted for molding the heads of type levers on bars, said mold comprising first and sec* ond mold halves, said rst mold half including a slotted frame for pivotally receiving rst end portions of bars, said second mold half including a slotted guide for receiving central portions of bars, a clamp bar on said rst mold half aligned with said slotted guide for forcing bars carried by said frame into slots in said guide upon the closing of said mold, and a plurality of head defining cavities in said second mold half having end portions aligned with the slots of said slotted guide and being adapted to receive second end portions of bars, said cavities being angularly arranged with respect to the intended positions of bars with the angles of said cavities to respective bar positions being varied and in accordance with the operating position of the respective type lever in a typewriter.

13. A mold particularly adapted for molding the heads of type levers on bars, said mold comprising first and second mold halves, said rst mold half including a slotted frame for pivotally receiving first end portions of bars, said second mold half including a slotted guide for receiving central portions of bars, a clamp bar on said rst mold half aligned with said slotted guide for forcing bars carried by said frame into slots in said guide upon the closing of said mold, a plurality of head defining cavities in said second mold half having end portions aligned with the slots of said slotted guide and being adapted to receive second 'end portions of bars, and a bar extractor carried by said second mold half for engaging and forcing bars out of said guide when said mold is opened to strip bars and molded heads from said second mold half, said bar cX- tractor having a portion engageable by a part of said rst mold half for automatic actuation during the opening of said mold.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 999,303 8/1911 Falk 18`44 XR 1,189,522 7/1916 Anderson 197-36 1,359,604 11/1920 Karpp 197-36 1,371,501 3/1921 McLane 18*44 XR 1,770,766 7/1930 Booth 18-44 XR 2,120,502 6/1938 Morton 1836 2,324,978 7/ 1943 I Ohrand et al 18-36 XR 2,436,597 2/1948 Otis 18--36 2,500,546 3/1950 Judisch 18-36 2,672,653 3/ 1954 Simpkins et al. 18-420 2,688,159 9/1954 Swartz et al. l8420 2,733,479 2/1956 English 18-42 2,779,057 l/l957 Graham et al. 18-44 XR 2,850,767 9/1958 Ford 1836 XR 2,995,777 8/1961 Warnken 18-36 3,044,121 7/1962 Wiskol et al. 22-154 XR WILLIAM J. STEPHENSON, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT E. PULFREY, Examiner. 

1. A MOLD PARTICULARLY ADAPTED TO MOLDING THE HEADS OF TYPE-LEVERS ON BARS COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A TWO PART MOLD, CAVITIES IN ONE PART TO FORM THE HEADS, A FRAME TO HOLD THE BARS, GUIDES TO POSITION THE FRAME, A GUIDE BAR, GROOVES IN THE GUDE BAR TO HOLD THE BARS IN POSITION IN THE UPPER ENDS OF THE CAVITIES, A PRESSER BAR TO HOLD THE BARS IN POSITION IN THE SLOTS IN THE GUIDE BAR, A RUNNER CHANNEL CONNECTING WITH THE CAVITIES, A SUPPLY PASSAGE FOR MOLDING MATERIAL CONNECTED TO THE RUNNER CHANNEL, CHARACTERS FORMED IN THE OTHER PART OF THE MOLD, MEANS TO PRESS THE MOLDED HEADS OUT OF THE CAVITIES AND MEANS ON THE SAID OTHER PART TO DISENGAGE THE RUNNERS THEREFROM. 